2014–2016 Heil Crude Trailer and 3 other Heil models: parking brake recall
If there is a delay of the spring brake application, the trailer may roll away after it has decoupled from the tractor, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
What was reported
Source: manufacturer filing, 49 CFR Part 573Reported to NHTSA Jul 11, 2016 by Heil Company, owners notified Sep 30, 2016.
What that means, in plain English
Source: WhichTrim's reading of the filing above — not NHTSA's wordingA delayed spring brake application after trailer decoupling can cause an uncontrolled runaway trailer, which is a crash risk to other road users, but the defect is in a parked/decoupled scenario rather than a loss of control of the towing vehicle at speed, placing it at high rather than critical.
Written for us by a language model from the manufacturer's filed text, which is quoted in full above. Where the two differ, the filing is the record and this is only our summary of it.
The fix, from the dealer bulletin
Source: NHTSA remedy instructions and dealer noticeRead from NHTSA’s copy of the manufacturer’s dealer documents. The procedure itself is in the bulletin; a franchised dealer has the current copy on the manufacturer’s portal, and that copy governs. Working a lot or a fleet? Recall Watch carries this line on every VIN it checks: remedy status, hours, stop-sale.
Which vehicles are covered
Source: NHTSA campaign 16V525000Vehicles built Jan 1, 2014 to Jun 18, 2016 — a VIN outside that window is not part of this campaign even if the year, make and model match.
| Model year | On WhichTrim |
|---|---|
| 2014 Heil Crude Trailer | — |
| 2015 Heil Crude Trailer | — |
| 2016 Heil Crude Trailer | — |
| 2014 Heil DRY Bulk Trailer | — |
| 2015 Heil DRY Bulk Trailer | — |
| 2016 Heil DRY Bulk Trailer | — |
| 2014 Heil Flatbed | — |
| 2015 Heil Flatbed | — |
| 2016 Heil Flatbed | — |
| 2014 Heil Petroleum Pull Trailer | — |
| 2015 Heil Petroleum Pull Trailer | — |
| 2016 Heil Petroleum Pull Trailer | — |
None of the vehicles this campaign names has a page on WhichTrim: the catalogue covers the cars, trucks and SUVs the EPA certifies from 2016 on, and these vehicles fall outside it — older model years, or motorhomes, trailers, buses, motorcycles and chassis cabs the EPA does not rate. The campaign record above is complete as filed, and whether one specific vehicle is included is settled by its VIN. Other campaigns on vehicles without a page here →
The federal paperwork
Source: nhtsa.govCheck one specific vehicle
A recall applies to a build range, so year, make and model cannot settle it. Type the VIN and the WhichTrim recall report checks this campaign’s build window and engine against it.
Campaign 16V525000
Own one, or run a fleet? Recall Watch checks each VIN against every new NHTSA campaign and emails you when one lands, this one's expansions included. Or take a free one-line alert by model year.
A recall covers a build range. Only your VIN settles it.
Check it with the WhichTrim recall report now, or have us check it every night and email you when something new is filed.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 573Does this recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to remedy a safety defect or a compliance failure at no charge, for vehicles up to 15 years old measured from the date of first sale. A dealer that asks you to pay for a recall repair is in the wrong.
How do I know whether my vehicle is included?
By VIN, not by model year. This campaign covers vehicles built Jan 1, 2014 to Jun 18, 2016. The manufacturer files a build range with NHTSA and only vehicles inside it are covered, so two identical-looking cars from the same year can differ. NHTSA's own lookup checks a VIN against the manufacturer's list.
What if the repair is not available yet?
It happens, and often. Manufacturers must notify owners when a defect is found even if the parts or the software are not ready, then notify them a second time once the remedy exists. The remedy filed for this campaign is described above.
What did the manufacturer say was wrong?
The problem, risk and fix quoted on this page are the manufacturer's own words as filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR Part 573. WhichTrim does not paraphrase them.
Who started this recall?
NHTSA's record credits the manufacturer. A recall can begin with the manufacturer's own testing, with a defect investigation, or with a compliance test against a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.